Planning a wedding, as anyone that has gone through it will attest to, is stressful. If that’s not enough, you are also expected to plan a full vacation that is supposed to be equal parts exciting, romantic, relaxing and adventurous.

The honeymoon often is relegated to back burner status and many newlyweds end up with less-than-perfect honeymoon experiences, or skip them altogether. This is a mistake. A honeymoon is an important first step in a marriage wherein you and your new spouse can relax together after the high excitements and stresses of a large wedding.

The Caribbean honeymoon is not a new concept. Since the proliferation of air travel, thousands of couples journey south for four to ten days to enjoy the tropical setting. Yes, the Caribbean honeymoon might be cliche, but, as far as I can tell, the Caribbean honeymoon is the way to go.

A Caribbean honeymoon is a very cost-effective honeymoon destination. While other locations in the South Pacific or Mediterranean have risen in popularity recently, a couple of things haven’t changed about them – namely, the cost and travel time. For many American couples, heading to the Caribbean can be done in under 5 hours. The Caribbean has long been destination for newlyweds, and so there exists a very mature tourism and hospitality industry that competes internally to provide you with the very best experience and the best price.

Remember, your honeymoon is coming right on the heels of perhaps the most expensive day of your life (your wedding). Finding an affordable Caribbean honeymoon can go a long way in assisting your relaxation.

Many locations in the South Pacific are limited in their amenities and activities. The Caribbean honeymoon consists of multiple islands and adventures. As mentioned above, the Caribbean has served as a highly popular vacation destination for many more years, meaning a larger infrastructure is in place for tourists, honeymooners or otherwise. Scuba diving, golf, horseback riding, beach sports, day cruises and even bungee-jumping are all available for your Caribbean honeymoon.

While you might be tempted by other locations, remember that the entire week or two leading up to your wedding day are a different sort of stress than you might be used to and the last thing you need is an expensive and difficult travel experience. The best honeymoon for you and your new spouse might just be a Caribbean honeymoon.